arrow alleys, indistinct shouting of adults and children bustling behind a ball as blue as the sea that you never forget. Rione Sanità welcomes you like this, every time. Your adventure starts simply: this corner of Naples can be reached by subway (Line 1 Museo stop, Line 2 Cavour stop), buses (lines R4, 139 and C63) or a walk along Via Toledo and Piazza Cavour. You will soon arrive at the foot of the Capodimonte hill and you will reach a neighborhood less visited by tourists but which perfectly embodies the authentic stories that characterize the Neapolitan environment.
The Rione Sanità is the beating heart of Neapolitan daily life.
It’s an embrace of spices, colors and sounds that envelops you at every step. Are you ready to discover the secrets and curiosities of this lively neighborhood?
The historic buildings
Walking through the Rione Sanità, you will look up several times and be enchanted by the incredible buildings capable of telling stories of a grandiose past. Palazzo Sanfelice for example, with its octagonal courtyard and the staircase that climbs like a theatrical set, will make you feel like the protagonist of a story from times gone by. Every step is a dive into the magnificence of the 18th century. Continuing along the neighborhood, you will also come across Palazzo dello Spagnolo and Palazzo del Principe di Sannicandro. The first, with its “falcon wing” staircase, will tell you about nobility and King Charles III of Bourbon. The second, with centuries-old frescoes and breathtaking details, will make you daydream about a story that still vibrates and fascinates today.
Totò's house
Walking along Via Santa Maria Antesaecula at number 109, you will arrive in front of the birthplace of Totò, the legendary Antonio De Curtis, the ever eternal “Prince of Laughter”. Although the building cannot currently be visited, the facade will welcome you with murals and commemorative plaques in the name of a great actor to whom the entire city has always been linked. In particular, “Totò and Pasolini” near the Nuovo Teatro Sanità is a tribute that brings the magic of Neapolitan comedy back to life, making you feel the echo of a golden era of cinema.
The street of murals
In general, the Rione Sanità is transformed into an open-air museum thanks to its numerous lively and colorful murals. The walls of the buildings are canvases by varied artists such as Jerico and Francisco Bosoletti, who instill messages of hope and resistance. “Luce” by Tono Cruz, which embellishes a building with the smiling faces of the neighborhood children, and “Totò and Peppino” are just some of the famous works that tell of passions and beauty, enriching the neighborhood with vibrant energy and art waiting to be discovered.
Jago Museum
In the heart of the Sanità district, the Jago museum presents itself as a safe haven for innovative and inclusive projects. Inside the historic seventeenth-century church of Sant’Aspreno ai Crociferi, the works of Jago – the homonymous artist who has made rebirth his mantra – arouse emotions and connections. The love story between the sculptor and Naples burns intensely and has guided his artistic path to this day. Currently, Jago prefers to let the emotions of visitors speak while his exhibitions, together with the commitment of entities such as the Comunità San Gennaro foundation and the La Paranza cooperative, are actively committed to giving life back to forgotten places such as churches, catacombs and ancient buildings. In this corner of the world, he states, “there is human and artistic capital with incredible potential.” Here art and community intertwine, giving life to something unique. There is no better place to do all this. You can find tickets and further information here.
The Basilica of Santa Maria della Sanità
We want to talk to you now about what is a true baroque masterpiece. The Basilica of Santa Maria della Sanità, with its dome adorned with yellow and green majolica, shines like a lighthouse in the heart of the city. Once you cross the threshold you will be surrounded by an atmosphere of other times: the majestic altar and the works of sacred art will enchant you with their elegance. However, don’t limit yourself to a superficial visit: take advantage of it, go down under the basilica and discover the Catacombs of San Gaudioso. This underground labyrinth dug into the characteristic volcanic tuff, together with the Catacombs of San Gennaro, is a place of quiet and mystery where the galleries are full of frescoes and stories full of spirituality. For more information and tickets, find further details here.
The Virgin Market
At the “Mercato dei Vergini”, you will have the impression of being in the exact center of a riot of colors, sounds and smells. The stalls are overflowing with seasonal fruit and vegetables offering the riches of our land. The Market, however, is much more than this: it is a set of voices that intertwine, scents that come together and a chaos capable of welcoming you like an old friend. After all, in this corner of Naples it’s easy to feel at home. If you have some time, stop and chat with the vendors: each of them has a story and each of them has a passion that can make you understand why this place is truly special.
The Fontanelle Cemetery
An environment full of charm and mystery, immersed in a tuff quarry, a treasure chest of enigmas and suffering. Here, among the remains of numerous people, you will breathe a unique cult, that of the “pezzentelle souls”, in which each skull tells of devotion and distant dimensions. Adopt one and enrich your journey with mystery and respect. That soul will reveal fragments of tradition and faith to you, leading you to a hope that perhaps you thought was lost. The place is temporarily closed and for this reason we suggest you keep an eye on the site for any updates.
The Catacombs of San Gennaro
Descend into the meanders of the Catacombs of San Gennaro and experience an emotion you have never felt before. What are we talking about? Of underground tunnels that wind revealing ancient Christian paintings that whisper stories never forgotten. The large baptismal font, bathed in soft light, is a true hidden treasure that speaks of rites and rebirths that deserve to be discovered. Walking among the runners you will perceive Neapolitan culture with different eyes. A sacred and vibrant past, a secret unique in the world that will pulse slowly under the curious pace of your steps. Find tickets and more information here.
The Rione Sanità: unique flavors of a neighborhood to discover
Walking in the Rione Sanità means sharpening all your senses. Between one architectural wonder and another, stop time in the local fryers and treat yourself to a bite of tasty happiness. Discover the names of great companies that shape taste on a daily basis, such as Concettina ai Tre Santi with its pizza masterpieces, Poppella with the “snowflakes” and Isabella De Cham with its delights. However, between one bite and another, don’t forget that it is in the hidden shops that you will discover the authentic atmosphere of the Rione Sanità that we are telling you about. Then let the evening fall. There are places, like the Enoteca Sepe, where the stories will flow smoothly between one glass and another and where at the end of the evening, following a toast, you will feel part of a place that you will never want to forget.
In Conclusion
Come and discover the authenticity of our beautiful Naples and savor the nuances of the Rione Sanità. Experience the neighborhood and the Neapolitan liveliness starting from a place designed to offer you the best and facilitate your stay. If you are looking for the ideal starting point, congratulations: you have found us. At the Santa Chiara Boutique Hotel you will be in the historic center in a place that will give you everything you are looking for. Explore, live, discover. At the end of the day, know that you will find kind smiles and the comfort and luxury needed to recharge and get off to a great start the next day.
We are at your disposal to tell you about beauty in all its forms. Contact us.
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